Oral diseases and their relationship to overall health have become more and more apparent in today's medical fields. Early diagnosis and treatment of symptoms and conditions can greatly improve medical outcomes, and early involvement by oral and maxillofacial surgeon can be a critical link in bringing together the best in oral health care. 

While an annual screening for oral cancer is important, it is possible that you will notice some change in your mouth or throat that needs examination between your annual screenings. You are the most important factor in an early diagnosis. You should always contact your doctor or dentist immediately if you notice the following symptoms in yourself or a loved one:

o   A sore or lesion in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks.

o   A lump or thickening in the cheek.

o   A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth.

o   A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat.

o   Difficulty chewing or swallowing.

o   Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue.

o   Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth.

o   Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable.

These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious problems, but they also indicate the possible presence of oral cancer. Only a professional will be able to tell you definitively. Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons are trained in this simple, quick screening, which involves the examination of the oral cavity as a whole and not just your teeth. Besides a visual examination of all the tissues in your mouth, Dr. Gabbaypour will feel the floor of your mouth and portions of the back of your throat with his fingers, in the search for abnormalities. A thorough oral screening also includes indirect examination of the nasopharynx and larynx, and involves manually feeling the neck for swollen lymph nodes, and other abnormalities such as hardened masses. Dr. Gabbaypour will also check the mouth for white patches, red patches, ulcerations, lumps, loose teeth, and review your dental x-rays for abnormalities. Be sure to tell the doctor if you have been a tobacco user in any form. Tobacco use is implicated in more than 75% of all oral cancers. After the physical examination of your mouth, if Dr. Gabbaypour finds any areas that are suspicious, he may recommend a biopsy. This is simply taking a small portion of the suspicious tissue for examination under a microscope. 

We would recommend performing an oral cancer self-examination monthly and remember that your mouth is one of your body's most important early warning systems. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores, and please contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gabbaypour if you have any questions or concerns